Special guest tonight and on the first five shows of Duke Special`s tour is fellow Ulsterman Conchúr White, a singer songwriter from Co. Armagh who released his debut solo album `Swirling Violets` in 2024. He previously fronted an atmospheric indie-pop/rock band from Portadown called Silences. Tonight was Conchúr`s first show in twelve months as he and his wife became parents to twins. He begins with `I Did Good Today` which is off his debut album before sitting at the piano and sharing a new song which I think was `Elena`.
Conchúr is quietly spoken but shares that his first gig that he saved up for as a teenager was at The Ulster Hall in Belfast in 2006 where he witnessed, ironically Duke Special promoting `Songs from the Deep Forest` supporting Dublin rock band The Frames who are fronted by Glen Hansard. The singer also works within the mental health sector and sings a number called `Case Notes` which came from his lived experiences. This gentle melodic set closed out with `Daisies` a song about family and growing up in Northern Ireland called `Rain Together` and another new number that so far is untitled. This was a warm and tender thirty minutes and an enjoyable start to this evening.
Tonight was the first night of an eleven date 20th Anniversary celebration of Duke Special`s album `Songs from the Deep Forest` with a further eight dates to come in October, followed by another fourteen dates in Ireland after that. The show begins with a new song `Faith` with Peter on the piano a number that seems to be about dealing with a breakup along with `Rita De Acosta` a moving number about Rita Hernandez de Alba de Acosta Stokes Lydig, who was an American socialite who had two sisters who were high achievers while she desired love which sadly didn`t quite work out successfully. The format tonight was an opening few numbers then the `Songs` album in full in order and a final couple of numbers. Chip Bailey longtime drummer/percussionist with Duke Special joins and we have stories of travelling through London with a piano, painted doors by artists with tracks such as `Fools Gold`, `Dumb Commuter` and `Zeebo`s House`. `Nursery Magic` and the `The Spirit As It Was` close out the opening salvo. After `Teddy Bears picnic` a song which brought me back to my childhood is pumped through the p.a., Peter and Chip return to play what I have to admit is the album which brought me to this artist and the one that I return to most often.
The dreamy ` Wake Up Scarlett` leads us in and while `Everybody Wants a Little Something` rings out i`m drawn to Chip and the delightful nuances of his playing. Peter talks about a gig at the Windmill in London as he plays `Brixton Leaves` which i`m sure he said inspired the number. My favourite Duke track `Our Love Goes Deeper Than This` has all and sundry singing along and I urge you to watch the video with Neil Hannon along with Duke Special v Neil Hannon where they interpret each other’s songs. Two of Ulster and Ireland`s finest musicians and entertainers.
I have to say each song is a banger with the contemplative `Freewheel` the melancholic `No Cover Up`, `Portrait` but the expansive `Last Night I Nearly Died (But I Woke Up Just in Time)` was almost heavenly and came from a near- death incident. `Ballad of a Broken Man` was written in an alleyway in Dundalk in Co Louth a place I know well, Dundalk that is. The home stretch includes `Salvation Tambourine` which is a rhythmic delight, `Something Might Happen` and `Slip of a Girl` are both reflective as `This Could Be My Last Day` ends the album and is almost spiritual.
There was an encore with `Diggin` an Early Grave` which made my wife`s night as this amusingly dark number is her favourite but the final offering the ruminative `Flight of The Sparrow` had me close to tears. Peter and Chip shared a two hour masterclass this evening built around an extraordinary album with old favourites and new songs thrown in as well which take you on an emotional journey from sorrow to joy.
I would encourage you to pre-order this artists forthcoming album as the funds raised will be used to pay studio costs, musicians, engineers, producer, mixing, artwork and manufacturing and you`ll receive a gem of an album in return. I was once again taken aback at the bond between Peter and Chip and have already pencilled in the date at Katie Fitzgeralds in Stourbridge in October.
I was lucky enough to see Colin Blunstone the other night and said that if it`s not my gig of the year come December, it will be pretty close and within days I have another contender right here tonight.
